Does anybody follow the Olympics?

[drssg]

Download the NBC Sports app. It lets you watch any event whenever you want. I'm into soccer and shooting and my wife equestrian, so we both get to watch all we want on our schedule. We just make sure we don't listen to the news about who wins gold etc so we don't know how it ends when we watch our events.

I'm guessing this wouldn't work for people who watch TV using an antenna? I would expect them to require that I enter info about my TV provider where I purchase access. I would like to be wrong.

I'm also interested in equestrian sports, but those are never on public TV.

 

[Torvy]

Funny, they were showing equestrian Wednesday night at the restaurant we were in. I don't mind it as it's own thing, but it is another one that should not be in the Olympics. The horse is the athlete.

 

[Wagtail]

Then they add a new 'sport' every so often, like skeet shooting.
Perhaps the next will include 'Tractor Racing' 100 meter, 1000- meter both women and men category plus under 50 hp and turbo class.
But then they drop some of the original contests like shotput discus etc.
It is just a big 'mine is bigger than yours' contest.

There are so many events that I didn't know were an Olympic sport that it makes me wonder if I'm unknowingly training for 2024.

 

[Jstpssng]

There are so many events that I didn't know were an Olympic sport that it makes me wonder if I'm unknowingly training for 2024.

How long does it take to climb off your tractor, hook up an implement (sans Pat's) and climb back on again?

 

[Citydude]

I watched golf last night. Xander Schauffele won the gold for the USA .

 

[/pine]

A guy goes to the Olympics and sees a man carrying a long pole. The guy asks "Are you a pole vaulter?" The man replies "No I'm German how did you know my name is Walter?"

 

[ljjhouser]

Not any more. I am too old. I remember athletes who were happy, proud, and lived for the opportunity to go to the olympics to represent their country. What I see today is people who ask for olympic contributions so they can go, dream to represent the US, then embarrass themselves and their country by their actions. I am tired of them. While our country is not perfect (by any means) it beats the hell out of many. They should represent whatever country sent them proudly with their best performance and actions. Yes, there are Many many athletes who are better. That is why people who don't want to represent their country should stay home. It reflects on all. I do believe sports (all sports) are a business. No sport (as a business) is a personal platform for a single person or cause.

 

[dodge man]

I was watching them until they showed an American women shot put silver medalist have her “crossed arms” protest on the podium. Then they gave her 20 seconds of an interview to explain it. That was enough to make me turn it off for rest of the day. I put on the Cubs game torture myself instead.

 

[ljjhouser]

I was watching them until they showed an American women shot put silver medalist have her “crossed arms” protest on the podium. Then they gave her 20 seconds of an interview to explain it. That was enough to make me turn it off for rest of the day. I put the Cubs game torture myself instead.

That type of stuff did it for me. I would rather the press interview 20 seconds with ANYONE else about ANYTHING ELSE. I don't care why. I care that they represent THEIR country with respect.

 

[rekees4300]

I was watching them until they showed an American women shot put silver medalist have her “crossed arms” protest on the podium. Then they gave her 20 seconds of an interview to explain it. That was enough to make me turn it off for rest of the day. I put the Cubs game torture myself instead.

IMHO any medalist who protests on the podium should be instantly banned for life and the medal discarded!

 

[ljjhouser]

Maybe they should add events in Marbles or Turtle races. At least you could sleep through it and still see the finish at the Finish Line.

 

[MoKelly]

IMHO any medalist who protests on the podium should be instantly banned for life and the medal discarded!

I agree. It’s disgraceful.

MoKelly

 

[ljjhouser]

IMHO any medalist who protests on the podium should be instantly banned for life and the medal discarded!

I agree. It continues because it is permitted. It reminds me that if I worked for a company (lets say farm dealer A) and when I was about to receive the gold metal (have a customer want to buy 2 combines and 4 heads), I said. Don't buy these damn things, buy a XXXXX instead (from farm dealer B). I don't like my boss. I don't think dealer A would spend 20 seconds firing him, much less asking Why. What are we teaching young people who compete. All farm dealers compete for sales.

 

[rekees4300]

What exactly is a ROC? If Russia is banned their athletes should be banned. Either you are a country or you are not a country.

You can’t make this stuff up.

MoKelly

Exactly .. when did a "committee" become a country?

 

[Steppenwolfe]

The only issue I see here... An Olympic level athlete, of any sport, should be able to mentally focus on the task in front of them; this is what they have trained for since childhood... Also, this is not the Olympics of individualism; it is representing one's country, put aside selfishness and make America proud.

 

[dodge man]

I think what bugged me about the medalist that did the crossed arms on the podium was the first protest I saw. NBC could have not shown it but if you follow the politics at NBC it’s not a shock that they showed it. The were probably worried about offending people that like that stuff though, I’m sure Lester Dolt approved of it.

 

[Jstpssng]

Wow. After reading many of the comments above I don't feel so alone anymore.

 

[ericm979]

I've been watching the bike racing. I raced as an amateur & masters (old person) so I understand the sport. Football too because I went to school in a town that was totally soccer crazy. Sometimes I pick one sport that I know nothing about at random and watch some of that just to try to learn about something new. Last winter olympics it was curling. I still don't understand the rules.

I'd like to see the politics taken out of the games by having the athletes not representing countries. That'd work for individual sports like fencing but I don't know how to organize team sports in a non-country way that doesn't just entrench the existing commercial setup (like those for bike racing and football). It's not gonna happen though.

When I was racing I rode quite a bit with some cyclists who had been olympians. I thought I was dedicated and hard core but those people were on a totally different level. The ones I knew wern't "rich kids" (or adults), just people with extraordinary ability and drive and the willingness forego what most people would consider a normal life.

 

[ljjhouser]

I've been watching the bike racing. I raced as an amateur & masters (old person) so I understand the sport. Football too because I went to school in a town that was totally soccer crazy. Sometimes I pick one sport that I know nothing about at random and watch some of that just to try to learn about something new. Last winter olympics it was curling. I still don't understand the rules.

I'd like to see the politics taken out of the games by having the athletes not representing countries. That'd work for individual sports like fencing but I don't know how to organize team sports in a non-country way that doesn't just entrench the existing commercial setup (like those for bike racing and football). It's not gonna happen though.

When I was racing I rode quite a bit with some cyclists who had been olympians. I thought I was dedicated and hard core but those people were on a totally different level. The ones I knew wern't "rich kids" (or adults), just people with extraordinary ability and drive and the willingness forego what most people would consider a normal life.

I was watching tv one day and they were showing curling. I thought that would be a good show to take a nap..But ever since, I watch it. it is interesting. I even attempted to buy one of those "Rocks". Too much for me. $300. I thought it was cool. Ha.
Making olympics free of country might be a good step, but several countries (like China - Russia) probably would have no participation without government entanglement. I guess maybe the it might be the same for the USA.
I can't help but think that everything in life has rules. I think there is an acceptable protocol for both Good Winners and Good Losers. I think this discussion alone may mean there needs to be an acceptable protocol for representing the country and people who sponsored your team (or YOU) and provided an opportunity. I would think Good Winner might include accepting the gift of a medal with respect and grace, not disrespect.

 

[ljjhouser]

I wonder. Does disrespecting the American flag on the world stage benefit a cause, or harm the cause on the national stage?